Bella Akhmadulina Obituary

MOSCOW (AP) - Poet Bella Akhmadulina, whose verses have been described as among the best in contemporary Russian literature, has died. She was 73.

Akhmadulina published her first poems in 1955 and quickly won nationwide popularity. Her poetry was praised for its depth and bold use of metaphor. Nobel Prize winner Joseph Brodsky once described her verses as a "treasure of Russian poetry" and placed her above other poets of her generation.

Akhmadulina died Monday at her home in Peredelkino just outside the capital, the Moscow Writers Union said. Her husband Boris Meserer told the ITAR-Tass news agency that she died from a heart condition.

In the 1960s, Akhmadulina and other poets drew large audiences striving for intellectual freedom in the brief thaw that followed Stalin's death. Her books of poems included "The String," "Fever," "The Candle," "Dreams of Georgia," "The Secret" and many others.

Akhmadulina often challenged Soviet auth orities by defending poets, writers and others who were facing official persecution. She took part in the Metropol literary almanac that was published abroad in 1979 and angered the Soviet government. She published an open letter in support of dissident physicist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Andrei Sakharov when the Soviet government sent him into exile internally.

Akhmadulina's first husband Yevgeny Yevtushenko, also a prominent Russian poet, said on Rossiya 24 television that she was an example of "civic nobleness." "She fearlessly defended all those who were in trouble," he said.

President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin offered their condolences. In his blog, Medvedev said that Akhmadulina's death was an "irreparable loss" and described her poetry as "classic of Russian literature."

MOSCOW (AP) - Poet Bella Akhmadulina, whose verses have been described as among the best in contemporary Russian literature, has died. She was 73.

Akhmadulina published her first poems in 1955 and quickly won nationwide popularity. Her poetry was praised for its depth and bold use of metaphor. Nobel Prize winner Joseph Brodsky once described her verses as a "treasure of Russian poetry" and placed her above other poets of her generation.

Akhmadulina died Monday at her home in Peredelkino just outside the capital, the Moscow Writers Union said. Her husband Boris Meserer told the ITAR-Tass news agency that she died from a heart condition.

In the 1960s, Akhmadulina and other poets drew large audiences striving for intellectual freedom in the brief thaw that followed Stalin's death. Her books of poems included "The String," "Fever," "The Candle," "Dreams of Georgia," "The Secret" and many others.

Akhmadulina often challenged Soviet auth orities by defending poets, writers and others who were facing official persecution. She took part in the Metropol literary almanac that was published abroad in 1979 and angered the Soviet government. She published an open letter in support of dissident physicist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Andrei Sakharov when the Soviet government sent him into exile internally.

Akhmadulina's first husband Yevgeny Yevtushenko, also a prominent Russian poet, said on Rossiya 24 television that she was an example of "civic nobleness." "She fearlessly defended all those who were in trouble," he said.

President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin offered their condolences. In his blog, Medvedev said that Akhmadulina's death was an "irreparable loss" and described her poetry as "classic of Russian literature."

Guest Book Highlights

"Please accept my sincere condolences on the death of your dear love one. “And no resident will say: I am sick…” Isa 33:24. This is a promise God has made known in his word. Perhaps one day in the divine future you or I may see again those fallen..."

"Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you."- Lori Houchins (HI)

"May the God of all comfort, bring comfort to the family and friends of Ms Bella Akhmadulina. We look forward to the time when sickness and death will be a thing of the past."- C M (Phila, PA)

"I remember her as a startling beauty of rare genius. Let me add my voice to those who mourn her. Elaine Feinstein, English poet"

"God needed her more. She will bring joy & music with her prose. MAY THE Grace of God be with her family. SHE is with her Father. sILVER bELLE"- Marianne Rankin (Hattiesburg, MS)